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Yunxiao County, located on the Zhang River and on the way from Zhangpu County to Dongshan Island, was the earliest seat of the government of Zhangzhou. The famous Weihui Temple is situated here. It was dedicated to the founder of Zhangzhou.[3]

The temple is very famous as a tourist attraction for local and overseas visitors. In the main hall is a statue of Chen Yuangguang in red armour and official crown with his heavy mustache and red face. Sculptures of his parents and wife are also located in the temple. The two hang on stone pillars inside the hall. The temple walls are full of praise for Chen for being the first to open up southern Fujian. The most festive period for the temple is on Chen's birthday (the 15th day of the second lunar month) and the anniversary of his death (the 5th day of the 11th lunar month). On both occasions the temple is packed with people burning incense and full-length operas that are performed in the square. Effigies of Chen and other deities are paraded down the streets to celebrate the occasions.[4]

Yunxiao is rich with natural resources. Minerals and metals such as gold, zinc, silver and aluminum are mined in the county. It has a strong agricultural economy, producing cooking oil, fruits, sugar, vegetables and tea.[5]

As of 2009, the county is also the source of half of China's production of counterfeit cigarettes, producing about 400 billion cigarettes a year (whereas all legal cigarette business is state-owned and state-controlled). Yunxiao is reported to contain some 200 illicit cigarette factories beneath buildings or in the hills.[6]

Yunxiao County oversees six towns, three of which lie on National Route 324. The other three all lie between this route and coast. The county executive, legislature and judiciary is seated at Yunling (云陵), together with the CPC and PSB branches.